Smell Great. Eat Well. Travel Often

I made contact with Love Lula on Monday, who are an award winning UK online boutique who exclusively sell natural and organic beauty and skincare brands. They have the biggest selection of natural and organic products online in the UK not to mention some truly amazing, innovative brands. I introduced myself and The Secret Scent Societe’ to them and they said they were interested and asked me to send them some samples of my products so I’m just waiting to hear back from them now. Fingers crossed they like them!

My cousin, who is a jewellery designer, contacted me about doing a collaborative presentation of both of our products at 2 offices she is booked to go and see in a couple of weeks to sell her products. Unfortunately I couldn’t get the time off work to attend with her but she’s offered to not only take my products with her and display them alongside her own but also to sell them for me (and she doesn’t even want a cut!). She’s being so generous with her time and efforts! The only problem is that I’m out of stock on most things! So I’ve had to make a rush order so that I can have a few products to give to her by next weekend (aaah!).

Photography

As you know I’ve had a number of issues when trying to take photographs of my products and despite buying professional equipment, watching videos online and reading books on the topic I’m still unsatisfied with my product photography. I was previously against the idea of paying a professional to take the photographs because I didn’t feel it was worth it when I could do it myself (not!), but after talking to my cousin she encouraged me to do so. She has amazing photography and said that she pays a photographer to take pictures of her jewellery every 6 months, so she gets him to take pictures of any new products then. Realising that I was holding myself back from doing many things like approaching online retailers, magazines and blogs about promoting or selling my products because of my lack of suitable photography, I’ve finally made a decision to get a professional in! It’s right when they say that you should delegate the jobs you’re no good at and concentrate on the jobs you are good! I contacted a photographer on Gumtree and he said he could do it no problem. I didn’t want to spend the money initially but not spending the money wasn’t progressing my business so I’ve just decided to stop procrastinating. And now I feel much better now that I’ve made that decision. It really takes a weight off my shoulders and I know that it will be money well spent in the longrun.

Kilner Jars

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my brand image because besides the fact that people always tell me how great it is there are a few products that won’t shift online no matter what and I think I’ve finally worked out what it is (aside from the price that is!). When I sell products in person people seem to really love them but online I think that perhaps their vibrant colours can be a little off-putting/bright. I’m referring to 3AM (Gold) and Black Frost (Purple). The irony is that these candles both have the most unusual, complex and alluring scents of all the candles I make which people seem to really take to when they smell them in person but of course selling scents online is another matter entirely! So I have decided to trial some other candle colours by a candle colour specialist company called Bekro. They have some really pretty neutral colours which I like: beige, grey, dusky pinks, lilac, cream etc and I not only personally prefer these kinds of colours but I think these colours are more suited to my brand and I think that more people will like them. Of course, I still make white candles but they can be very boring – it’s good to give people some alternative options. I have also decided to change the packaging of the body scrub souffle’ kilner jars (which are currently the same colour as the body soufflé’s: smoke grey). I’m going instead for this Rose Pink Pantone colour:

The company I buy my candle holders and cosmetics containers from are able to do customised colours so long as it’s a Pantone colour so let’s see what they come up with!

Wood Wick Candles

Remember awhile ago I told you about my intention to make wood wick candles? – well they are finally on there way! I hope to have them ready for my cousin to take to her events in a couple of weeks but I still need to think about fragrances as I’m not sure yet whether I’m going to do the wood wicks with fragrance oils or essential oils (which will be much more expensive). I’m going to wait until the ingredients arrive and decide then I think. I believe that they will sell really well because I don’t know anyone else who are doing these types of candles and they have such a satisfying sound and smoky aroma. Just Gawjus!